Bruges Entertainment

  1. 'T Poatersgat

    Look carefully for the concealed hole in the wall and follow the staircase down into this cross-vaulted cellar glowing with ethereal pure-white lights and flickering candles. Opened in 2007, 't Poatersgat (which translates from the local dialect as 'the Monk's Hole') has 120 Belgian beers on the menu, including a smashing selection of Trappists.

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  2. Bolero

    Bruges' only gay and lesbian bar.

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  3. Brugs Beertje

    Legendary throughout Bruges, Belgium and beyond for its hundreds of Belgian brews, this cosy brown café is filled with old advertising posters and locals who are part of the furniture.

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  4. Café Vlissinghe

    Luminaries have frequented Bruges' oldest pub since it first opened its doors in 1515. The interior is gorgeously preserved but in summer the best seats are in the shady garden where you can play boules in between sips.

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  5. Cambrinus

    Traditional Belgian and Italian-inspired snacks, as well as good-value lunch and dinner menus help soak up the hundreds of varieties of beer at this 17th-century sculpture-adorned brasserie/pub.

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  6. De Garre

    This tiny beer-specialist pub packs 'em in for its exclusive Tripel de Garre beer. It's hidden in a narrow cul-de-sac between the Markt and the Burg and is notoriously hard to find; look for the gate on the side of the building.

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  7. De Republiek

    Set around a courtyard, this big, buzzing space is a favourite with Bruggelingen (Bruges locals), located in the same smart premises as the art-house movie theatre, Cinema Lumière. DJs hit the decks on Friday and Saturday nights and there's also a great range of well-priced meals, including vegetarian options, available until midnight.

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  8. De Windmolen

    Quaint corner café overlooking St Janshuismolen in St Anna. A fitting port o' call for a drink after visiting the windmills or nearby Guido Gezellemuseum.

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  9. L'estaminet

    With its weighty dark-timber beams, low lighting, fabulous scratchy background jazz and convivial clatter, this neighbourhood café scarcely seems to have changed since it opened in 1900. It's primarily a drinking spot but also serves time-honoured dishes like spaghetti bolognaise with a baked cheese crust. Summer sees its loyal following flow onto the front terrace.

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  10. Top

    A cool little bar that opens late and moves until morning. The décor's cool, stark and bland.

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  12. Wijnbar Est

    This wine bar is an especially lively spot on Sunday nights when you can catch live jazz, blues and occasionally other musical styles from .

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